Dexter, Missouri - Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County announced today a groundbreaking ceremony for its Emergency Services expansion and Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 15. The ceremony will be at the front entrance to Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County.

Southeast’s Emergency Services serves a critical role in providing emergent and life-saving care to individuals throughout Stoddard County by providing 24/7 service, which gives residents an inherent sense of safety and security. The project, a total of 30,982 square feet, will substantially increase the size of Emergency Services and is designed with the patient experience in mind. The Emergency Services 10-room expansion will be located adjacent to the new Southeast Medical Plaza. Features include a new waiting/triage area, trauma room, cardiac room, obstetrics room, three exam rooms for behavior health patients and four rooms for non-emergent healthcare needs. There also will be two additional ambulance bays and an update to the main hospital lobby.

The Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit located on the second floor of the new addition will include 15 private patient rooms with full bathrooms along with areas for activities, group therapy, dining and visiting. Both projects are expected to be completed in late 2017.

The Emergency Services expansion will help meet the growing number of patients seeking care, said Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County Chief Executive Officer Sue Ann Williams. She noted that patient volumes in Emergency Services have grown nearly 18 percent since 2012. Approximately 12,000 patients are treated in Emergency Services annually.

“This project and the investment it requires underscores SoutheastHEALTH’s commitment to Dexter and the surrounding region and also exemplifies the outstanding community support of the Regional Healthcare Foundation,” said Ken Bateman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SoutheastHEALTH.

The project, he continued, will be grounded in the “principles of safety for our community, patients, staff and physicians, evidence-based practice, exceptional patient and family experiences and patient care coordination, providing high quality care, at a low cost, close to home.”

The Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit will allow a more centralized location for services, he noted. The Emergency Services expansion’s holding area for behavioral health patients will provide a safer environment for patients and staff. Southeast Hospital does not have a dedicated screening and holding area, and there is not space for such an area in the Cape Girardeau facility. Approximately 650 behavioral health patients are treated at Southeast Hospital annually.

Once the expansion is complete the enhanced service offerings will provide 50 to 75 new jobs in Dexter and its surrounding communities. “The economic impact of this expansion is significant for residents of Stoddard County,” said Charlie Kruse, SoutheastHEALTH System board member and local Dexter farmer. “When businesses look to relocate their services, the first things they seek are the education and healthcare services available. This expansion is a tremendous investment in our community and further exemplifies the outstanding partner we have with SoutheastHEALTH.”
SoutheastHEALTH recently expanded its Cardiology services in Stoddard County by welcoming Fernando Arzola, MD, to the Southeast Medical Staff. Dr. Arzola, who is permanently based in Dexter, will help meet the increasing demand for cardiac and vascular services in and around Dexter.

“The expansion and investment in Cardiology and now Emergency Services and Behavioral Health services clearly defines SoutheastHEALTH’s commitment to the economic vitality of Dexter and surrounding communities,” said Greg Mathis, SoutheastHEALTH Regional Board of Directors Chairman. “I look forward to the successful completion of this project and ribbon cuttings in 2017 and 2018.”
Architects for the Emergency Services and Adult Voluntary Behavioral Unit project are Bates and Associates of St. Louis. Construction will be overseen by Kiefner Brothers Construction of Cape Girardeau.

About SoutheastHEALTH
At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 12 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.